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WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID? |
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Financial Aid is free money (gift aid),
i.e. grants, scholarships, student loans and College work-study.
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I PROBABLY DON’T QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL
AID. SHOULD I APPLY FOR AID ANYWAY? |
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Generally, all students qualify for some
form of financial aid. Many families mistakenly think
they don’t qualify for aid and prevent themselves
from receiving financial aid by failing to apply for it.
In addition, there are other sources of aid such as unsubsidized
Stafford and PLUS loans. |
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DO I NEED TO BE ADMITTED INTO A PARTICULAR
COLLEGE BEFORE I CAN APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID? |
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No. You can apply for financial aid any
time after January 1. To actually receive funds, however,
you must be admitted and enrolled at a college or university. |
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WHEN DO I START THE PROCESS? |
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The sooner the better. Financial aid is
allocated on a first come, first serve basis. It’s
best to start looking for financial aid at the beginning
of the student’s junior year of high school. |
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AM I ENTITLED TO GRANT OR SCHOLARSHIP
MONEY? |
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You may be! Depends on financial need,
academic standing, talent (athletic, art, music, etc.)
and how effectively the financial aid process is handled. |
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WHAT FORMS NEED TO BE COMPLETED AND
WHEN? |
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There are many forms and/or applications
for financial aid that have to be submitted in order to
complete the process successfully. The FAFSA, the CSS
Profile, State forms and various college institutional
forms are just a few of the items that have to be submitted.
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DO EXTRACURRICULAR AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
HELP WITH COLLEGE ENTRANCE? |
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Yes, most colleges consider all extra effort. |
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SHOULD WE VISIT COLLEGES BEFORE APPLYING
TO THEM? |
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Yes, your child is going to spend four
years there. It is best to see if it has the environment
you are looking for. Certainly, at least your top 4 or
5 choices should be visited. |
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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EARLY
DECISION AND EARLY ACTION APPLICATIONS? |
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Early decision – you can only apply
to one school on a committal basis. Early action –
You can apply to a number of colleges on a non-committal
basis |
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SHOULD MY CHILD APPLY EARLY OR REGULAR
DECISION? |
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If your main concern is getting accepted
to your number one choice college and paying for college
is not a problem, therefore financial aid is not important,
then early decision may be a better option. |
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HOW MANY COLLEGES SHOULD WE APPLY TO?
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Generally, the best strategy is to apply
to at least 8 colleges (6 private, 2 state) |
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SHOULD MY CHILD HAVE AN INTERVIEW WITH ADMISSIONS?
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Yes, it is always advisable to interview
with your top 3 or 4 choices. |
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WHERE DO I GET MY FINANCIAL AID FORMS? |
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Generally, from your high school guidance
office, library, federal and state processing centers
and the individual colleges. |
